Back stretching apparatus

ABSTRACT

A back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame defining a stretching zone wherein a user can move a pair of lightly weighted hand grips between an overhead reaching position and a bent over stretched position. A light weight resistance is provided by a weight stack carried within upright frame members and interconnected by an internal pulley and cable system. A stabilization bar is disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and provides the user a target for the stretching and stabilization of the user in the stretched position. The light weight resistance permits the user to stretch their back muscles without exertion to limit the likelihood of back injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and, moreparticularly, to exercise apparatus for stretching the back.

Tight back muscles for individuals are a source of pain which can beexacerbated as a source of injury if the individual does not properlystretch their back muscles prior to exercising. While there are otherback machines on the market, they can be cumbersome and complicated touse. Often, the user must use a conditioning exercise apparatus that isintended for conditioning and toning, rather than stretching.Consequently, the user may not adequately stretch their back musclesprior to engaging in a toning and conditioning regimen, which may leadto injury.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved back stretchingapparatus that is targeted to stretching, without the risk of toning orconditioning. It is less demanding on a person's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a back stretching apparatusincludes an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright framemember disposed in a spaced apart relation. A cross member interconnectsa top end of the left and the right upright frame member. A left and aright extension project forwardly from the cross member in a spacedapart relation between the left and the right upright frame member. Auser selectable weight stack is carried within the left and the rightupright frame member. A plurality of pulleys are disposed within thecross member and a pulley is carried within each of the left and theright extension. A cable interconnects the user selectable weight stackand a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the rightextensions. The cable is supported by the plurality of pulleys and isconfigured to extend and retract the hand grips in response to a userstretching regimen.

In some embodiments of the invention, the back stretching apparatus mayalso include a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of theupright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilizationbar support element. A left stabilization bar projection arm adjustablyinterconnects the left upright frame member and the stabilization barand a right stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnectsthe right upright frame member and the stabilization bar.

In other aspects of the invention, the left and the right upright framemembers, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, andthe left and the right stabilization bar projection arm are formed froma plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements. Thetelescopically adjustable frame elements have a plurality of adjustmentapertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, such thatthe plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin toretain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixedposition.

In yet other aspects of the invention, a weight traversal slot isdefined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left andthe right upright frame members. A weight selection aperture is definedin each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack and a weightselection pin is configured to be received through the slot and theweight selection aperture. The weight traversal slot has a lengthcorresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overheadposition to a position adjacent the stabilization bar.

In other embodiments, a stabilization bar elevation slot is defined in afront face of the left and the right upright frame members. An endcoupling of the left and the right stabilization bar is received withinthe stabilization bar elevation slot.

In some embodiments, a back stretching apparatus includes an upstandingframe having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in aspaced apart relation. A cross member interconnects a top end of theleft and the right upright frame member and a left and a right extensionproject forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relationbetween the left and the right upright frame member. A stabilization baris horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members andsupported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element. Astabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnects the left andthe right upright frame member and the stabilization bar, wherein theupstanding frame and the stabilization bar define a stretching zone.

A cable interconnects a user selectable weight stack and a hand gripsuspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions. The cableis supported by a plurality of internal pulleys and configured to extendand retract the hand grips between an initial overhead position proximalto the left and the right extension and an extended position proximal tothe stabilization bar.

The left and the right upright frame members, the left and the rightstabilization bar support elements, and the left and the rightstabilization bar projection arm may each be formed of a plurality oftelescopically adjustable frame elements. A plurality of adjustmentapertures extend through a sidewall of the frame elements. The pluralityof adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain theplurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position definingthe stretching zone. A weight traversal slot may be defined in an outersidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right uprightframe members. A weight selection aperture is defined in each of aplurality of weights in the weight stack. A weight selection pin isconfigured to be received through the slot and the weight selectionaperture. The weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to amovement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position and aposition adjacent the stabilization bar.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a back stretching apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the back stretching apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the back stretching apparatus shownin an initial position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the back stretching apparatus shownin an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an improvedapparatus for stretching the back muscles of a user. As seen inreference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-4, the back stretching apparatusincludes an upstanding frame 40 configured with a plurality of internalpulleys 10 to guide a cable 14 operatively coupled between a handle 16and a user selectable weight 20 carried within the upstanding frame 40.The upstanding frame 40 includes a left and a right upright members 42interconnected with an overhead cross member 44. A left and a rightfront extension arm 12 project forwardly of the cross member 44 in aspaced apart relation at an intermediate portion of the cross member 44.The left and the right front extension arms 12 are spaced generallyshoulder width apart from each other.

The upright frame members 42 include a top section and a bottom sectionthat are telescopically received and vertically adjustable via a pin 28that is inserted in a plurality of adjustment holes 26 that extendthrough a sidewall of the upright frame members 42. The upright framemembers 42 may be adjusted so as to position the cross member 44 in anoverhead position relative to the user 30.

The bottom section of the upright frame member 42 is configured with aslot 32 extending through a sidewall of the upright frame member 42. Theplurality of weights 20 are stacked within the bottom section of theupright frame member 42, wherein the stacked weights have an apertureconfigured to receive a weight selection pin 34 through the slot 32 forthe user select a desired weight for their stretching regimen. Theupright frame members 42 may also be configured with a foot 24 tosupport the upright frame members 42 against a floor surface.

The upstanding frame 40 is also configured with a stabilization bar 22that is laterally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members 42.The stabilization bar 22 is vertically adjustable via a telescopingstabilization bar support element 18. The stabilization bar 22 may alsobe supported by a projection bar 46 that is extensible in a forwardfacing side of the upright frame members 42. As with the upright framemembers 42 and the stabilization bar support element 18, the projectionbar is adjustable in length via a pin 28 and aperture 26 configuration.The projection bar 46 is coupled to a slot 48 defined along a frontsurface of the upright member 42 to accommodate the vertical adjustmentof the projection bar 46 with changes in the height of the stabilizationbar support element 18. The stabilization bar 22 is adjustable so thatthe user 30 may bend forwardly about the waist to reach thestabilization bar 22.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upstanding frame 40 defines astretching zone in which the user may perform stretching of the lowerback. The stretching apparatus is configured to permit the user to graspthe hand grips 16 with an overhead reach, bend about the waist, andreach their hands to a point proximal to the stabilization bar 22. Theuser 30 may position the stabilization bar 22 at a desired stretchingdistance in each of a horizontal and a vertical displacement to achievea stretching of their back muscles prior to engaging in an exerciseregimen.

In use, the back stretch machine enables the user 30, from a standingvertical position, to stretch the muscles of their back through a slowbending forward of the waist motion. The purpose is to stretch the backmuscles to loosen tight muscles and to aid in the prevention of injury.The individual using the equipment would stand upright while holding thehand grips 16 and bend slowly at the waist until the hands come incontact with the platform stabilization bar 22, at this point they wouldrise slowly until coming back to an upright position. This process wouldbe repeated several times until the user 30 felt their back muscles tobe adequately loosened. As will be appreciated, the user 30 would havethe option of using both hand grips 16 simultaneously or using one handgrip 16 at a time depending upon the user's needs. The user 30 would setthe height of the hand grips 16 and the height and distance of thestabilization bar 22 to suit their particular stature and their desiredbending distance.

This stretching regimen is be facilitated through resistance created bythe cable 14 and pulleys 10 operatively coupled to the set of weights20. The desired weight can be set through placing the pin 34 in theweight selection hole located on each weight quantity. The amount ofweight can be changed by simply removing the pin 34 and placing it atthe quantity desired.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A back stretching apparatus, comprising: anupstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposedin a spaced apart relation, a cross member interconnecting a top end ofthe left and the right upright frame member, and a left and a rightextension projecting forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apartrelation between the left and the right upright frame member; a userselectable weight stack carried within the left and the right uprightframe member; a plurality of pulleys disposed within the cross member; apulley carried within each of the left and the right extension; and acable interconnecting the user selectable weight stack and a hand gripsuspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions, wherein thecable is supported by the plurality of pulleys and configured to extendand retract the hand grips in response to a user stretching regimen. 2.The back stretching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: astabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright framemembers and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar supportelement.
 3. The back stretching apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising: a left stabilization bar projection arm adjustablyinterconnecting the left upright frame member and the stabilization bar;and a right stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnectingthe right upright frame member and the stabilization bar.
 4. The backstretching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the left and the right uprightframe members, the left and the right stabilization bar supportelements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection armfurther comprise: a plurality of telescopically adjustable frameelements; a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through asidewall of the frame elements, wherein the plurality of adjustmentapertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality oftelescopically frame elements in a fixed position.
 5. The backstretching apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a weight traversalslot defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of theleft and the right upright frame members; a weight selection aperturedefined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack; and aweight selection pin configured to be received through the slot and theweight selection aperture.
 6. The back stretching apparatus of claim 5,wherein the weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to amovement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to aposition adjacent the stabilization bar.
 7. The back stretchingapparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a stabilization bar elevationslot defined in a front face of the left and the right upright framemembers, wherein an end coupling of the left and the right stabilizationbar is received within the stabilization bar elevation slot.
 8. A backstretching apparatus, comprising: an upstanding frame having a left anda right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation, across member interconnecting a top end of the left and the right uprightframe member, and a left and a right extension projecting forwardly fromthe cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and theright upright frame member; a stabilization bar horizontally disposedforwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and aright stabilization bar support element; a stabilization bar projectionarm adjustably interconnecting the left and the right upright framemember and the stabilization bar, wherein the upstanding frame and thestabilization bar define a stretching zone; a cable interconnecting auser selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each ofthe left and the right extensions, wherein the cable is supported by aplurality of internal pulleys and configured to extend and retract thehand grips between an initial overhead position proximal to the left andthe right extension and an extended position proximal to thestabilization bar.
 9. The back stretching apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe left and the right upright frame members, the left and the rightstabilization bar support elements, and the left and the rightstabilization bar projection arm further comprise: a plurality oftelescopically adjustable frame elements; a plurality of adjustmentapertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, whereinthe plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin toretain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixedposition defining the stretching zone.
 10. The back stretching apparatusof claim 8, further comprising: a weight traversal slot defined in anouter sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the rightupright frame members; a weight selection aperture defined in each of aplurality of weights in the weight stack; and a weight selection pinconfigured to be received through the slot and the weight selectionaperture.
 11. The back stretching apparatus of claim 10, wherein theweight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of thehand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacentthe stabilization bar.